Apparatus for backing electrotypes



0a. 21, 1930. F, X. TEMMEN 1,779,253

APPARATUS FOR BACKING ELECTROTYPES Filed Aug. 9, 1929 7 Sheecs-Sheet l ATTORNEY M NVENTOR,

Oct. 21, 1930. F. x. TEMMEN- 1,779,253

APPARATU FOR BACKING ELECTROTYPES Filed ug- 9, 1929 7 Sheets-:Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

A TTORNEY APPARATUS FOR BACKING ELECTROTYPES Filed Aug. 9, 1929 v Sheets-Sheet :5

ATTORNEY Oct. 21, 1930. F. x. TEMMEN 1,779,253 I APPARATUS FOR BACKING ELEcTRoTYPES Filed Aug. 9, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY V? k/mw I M W Patented Oct. 21, 1930 UNITED PATENT ,oFF cE- FRANKX. sni amen, or COVINGTON, KENTUCKY,'ASSIGNOR TO- THE RAPID ELECTRO- LPYPE co PnnY, or CINCINNATI, on o, n GORPORATION or OHIO arranarrus ronnacxma ELECTRQTYPES l 7 Application filed August 9,.1 92,9l- Serial No. 384,556. I

In making electrotypes itis the practice to first form a metal shell, as by electro-depositing copper upon a Wax mold in which the reverse of the printing face ,WhlCh is to be formed on the electrotype has been impressed,

the electrotype shell being electro-deposited on this mold by the electro-galvanic process, the obverse side of this shell forming the printing surface of the electrotype and the reverse side of the shell having reverse formations thereon, the shell being of substantially uniform thickness throughout and quite thin.

It is the-practice to back this shell With a baser metal or compound of metals or materials by casting the same onthe reverse side of the shell for strengthening the same and producing aplate of sufficient thickness so that the same may, after 'bingIsuitably fin ished,'-be .used eitherdirect in the printing press or upon awood or other base in the printing'operation. The material with which the back of theshell is provided is usually a composition largely composed of-lead, and is Well known in the art, and ,may be of any suitable material adaptable for the purpose, and will be hereinafter referred to as backing metal. I

Several steps. are employed in the art as at present racticed in backing such shells, consisting rst, in acid treating the reverseside of the shell so as=to prepare the same for tinning second, intinning such reverse side for preparing the same for receiving the backing metal and having the backing metal ad here thereto and, third, in casting the back-' ingmetal upon the reverse side of the shell.

The fshellis heated .sothat the same may,

be properly'tinned and properly receive the backing metal, and afterwards cooled, so as to harden the same inl'order to beable to handle the same conveniently."

' It is the object of, my invention to provide a novel conveyor containing pans in which 1 the shells are 1 received, and treated and n which the backingsa therefor are provided,

and .to providenovel means for operating saidconveyorq .Itis the .object ofm invention further to providenovehmea'ns or heatingthe shells,

'te'r: v Fig. l is a plan view'of my improved detaken on the line 99 of 1. p

trotypes; further, to provide novel means whereby to cause coactlon between the pans and a heating bath, tocause travel of the pans while being'subjected to said bath, and to provide novel means for causing separation between said pans and the bath; further, to

provide novel means for changing the ele-.

Vation of the pans with relation to a heating bath, and further to provide novel control means forthe'latter. i v

It is the objectof my invention further toprovide novel means for controllinglthe flow of the backing material, to provide novel means fo'r maintaining the shell level while the backing metal is fed thereon, to provide novel'means for heatingthe backing material,

. nd toprovide noveljmeans for heating'th heating b th o I ,The inventionfwill be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings,'in jlat- Vice. 7 p

' 2' a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a plan section of the same,'taken on thel ine 3-3 of Fig. 2, and partly broken f away.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the same,

taken on the irregular-line 44 of F ig. 1, and partly broken away. i Y I 7 Fig. 5 s a planview of a portion ofthe machine on an enlarged scale for better illustration of'a portion of the pan supporting and actuating means, partly broken away.

-Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the same,

part1 Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional detail viewof the same, taken. on theline 7 7. of Fig. 6.

F 8, is a vertical section of the valve mechy in section on the line 66 of Fig. 5, 9 and partly broken away.

anism for the valveof the auxiliary reservoir,

takenon the line 8 8 of Fig. 1, and partly broken away.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the valve mech- .anism for the valve'of the main reservoir,

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of one of the pans in association with its bath, taken on the line 10-1O of Fi 1, and partly broken away.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional detail view of the pan supporting means, taken on the line 11 11 of Fig. 1, and partly broken away.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view ol a detail or the pouring spout and its related parts, partly broken away.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional detail view, taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 14 is a detail view of the main reservoir, taken in section on the line 14l--14E of Fig. 1, and partly broken away.

Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the controlling slide for automatically controlling actuation of the valve of the auxiliary reservoir, partly broken away.

Fig. 16 is a. vertical section of the taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an edge view of the same with the controlling roller in ra (1 position.

Fig. 18 is a detail. view 01'. the same, taken in section on the line 181S of Fig. 15.

Fig. 19 is a detail plan view 05 one of the traveling cam means for ai'itomatically actuating the valve of the auxiliary reservoir, partly broken away; and,

Fig. 20 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the line 2()2O of Fig. 19, and partly broken away.

My present invention is an improvement upon the apparatus shown, described and claimed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,183,105, granted to Joseph Nocheck. May 1.6, 1916, for apparatus for backing up electrotypes.

The frame of the machine comprises a base 21 and a pedestal provided with an annular shelf A turn-table 2 1, hereinafter also referred to as a rotary carrier, rotates on the pedestal. There is an ani'iular ball-bearing between the turntable and the pedestal, the balls whereof are located in annular runways respectively in the shelf and in the turntable. .here an annular guide 26 between the shelf and the turntable, gibs 27 on the turn-table being received under theshell for maintaining the turn-table on the pedestal.

3 and l.)

A ball-bearing 28 is located between shelf and the turn-table adjacent to the axis oi the latter, the lower raceway of this ballbearing being supjimrted by adjusting bolts 29 threaded in the shelf. (Fig. l.)

Anelectric mot r is nountedonabranch 32 of the base, the rotor of the electric motor having a drive-shaft. 33 connected therewith by a coupling The drive-shaft journaled in bearings 35 on the branch of the base and has a worm 36 fixed thereon. The worm meshes with a wornii-wheel 37 fixed to an upright shaft 38 journaled in bearings 89, 4:0,

same,

the

in brackets 41, 42, extending from the pedestal. (Figs. 2. 3 and 4.)

The shaft 38 has a pinion 4L5 fixed thereto which meshes with a. gear 16 fixed to a shaft 17 ournaled in bearings 1-8 on the bracket ii. A pinion i9 is fixed to the shaft 47 and meshes with an internal gear 50 on the lower face oi? the turn-table for rotating the turn-table.

3 and a.)

The turn-table comprises frames 51 radially arranged on the turn-table. These frames comprise inner walls 52, outer walls 53 and side walls Theed e oi? the turn-table is provided with chord races 55. The inner walls of the frames are clamped to these faces by suitable bolts. (Figs. 3, 1 and 5.)

There are a suitable number of these trainee arranged about the turn-table, ten of the frames being shown. Angle-pieces 5S span the space between the outer proximate cor-' ners of adjacent frames and are lined to said corners by suitable bolts. The inner portion of the turntable, the frames and the pieces are thus rigidly secured together for forming a rigid turn-table.

Pans 61 are complemental to the respecthe frames and are arranged to be moved up and down therein with relation to "the heat ing means for heating the pans. (Figs. 4 and The heating means are exemplified as a molten. bath in a. reservoir 66 shown of arcuate term and arranged under a portion of the path of the pans. It may be suitably heat insulated. The reservoir is supported by posts 67, the lower ends of which are supported in bearings 68 of a sector 69 of the base, which is fastened to the central portion of the base by suitable bolts. The reservoir 66 is provided with lilearings 70, T1, in which the upper portions oi the posts are received. The bearings 70 have upper walls provided with threaded openings in which adjusting bolts 72 are threaded, the lower 11c s of the adjusting bolts coacting with the upper ends of the posts, relative adjustment between the bolts causing leveling of the reservoir. Set-bolts 73 threaded in the bear ings 71 are clamped against the posts after adjustment for fixing the parts in adjusted relation. 2, 3, 4. and 5.)

The bath 65 in the reservoir is a heating bath and may be composed of a composition containing lead and be for instance the same metal as the backing metal of the electrotype, the composition of which is Well-known in the art, or be of material similar to the backing material for the electrotype. The bath is maintained in molten state, for instance by means of electric heating elements 77 01": usual or desirable construction, which are let into the bath, and comprise shanks 7 8 through which the electric conductors for the heating elements are received, these electric conductors connecting with a suitable source of elecare provided with edge .walls'82 which are,

of a height at least as high asthe desired height of the untrimmed electroplate after the backing has been peered on the shell.

The inner faces of said walls are shown sloping upwardly and outwardly for ready release of the backed shell. (Fig. 10.)

The lower face of the pan is provided with projections 83 which are received in the molten bath for ready transference of the heat of the bath to the pans. The pans-are preferably of a lighter material than the material of the bath so as to float on the bath with the upper margin of the pan abovethe level of the bath. The pans may for instance be of cast iron.

The side walls of the frames are provided with recesses 85. having upright guides 86 at their bottoms extending above and below the f- .1 mes. The pans are'provided with brackets 87 having guide rollers88 thereon complemental to the guides for guiding'the pans up'and down in the frames. (Figs. 2, 5 and The pans are normally held in up posi-' tions, being shown supported on fingers 91 of bell-crank levers 92 pivoted on pivot-pins 93 in bearings 9 1 on the frame 51. Supporting bolts 95 are adjustable threaded holes in the lingers and'held in adjusted positions by j am-nuts 96. The ends of the bolts are respectively providedwith anti-friction balls 97 which are presented upwardly and are received under the pans forsupporting the pans. The halls coact with hardened pads 08 on the lower faces of the pans to resist wear. There is preferably a supporting finger at each corner of-the pan-and the adjustments-of the bolts 95 level the pan so that when backing material is flowed thereinto, the (lepthof the backing material will be equal throughout the pan for forming the printing plate of even thickness. (Figs. 5

and 11.)

The outer arms 101 of the bell-crank levers at theres'pective sides of the frame are connected by links 102 by means of pivot-pins 108. Liv ks 10 1 are articulated with the links 102 by the pivot-pins 103 of the outer bellcrauk levers and with articulating pins 105 of levers 106 pivoted on pivot-pins 107 in lugs 108 extending from the frame. The levers 1060f the respective frames extend toward each othenw'lhe proximate ends of the levers are interpivoted by a pivot-stud 109, the pivot-stud carrying a roller 110. The connections between the levers and the pivotstud are sufiiciently free to permit rocking movements of the levers. (Figs. 5, 6 and 11.)

The roller is arranged to engage a campiece 115 for moving the roller inwardly and thereby swinging the supporting fingers away from supporting relation with the pans forpermitting the pans to descend. cam-piece is shown pivoted at the beginning portion ofthe reservoir 66 on a pivot-pin 116 extending from a bearing-block 117, so

that the respective pans may be released for lowering the same into theheating bath at the beginning portion of said bath. (Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6.)

It is desired at times to permit the pans to travel above the bath without descent into the bath. The cam-piece is therefore arranged to be placed in inactive relation. For this purpose a retaining pin 118 is fixed in the bearing-piece and the cam-piece is provided with a notch 119 complementalto said pin, so that the cam-piece may be moved on its pivot past the pin, the notch passing the pin. An obstructing platev 120 is pivoted by a pin 121 to the cam-piece, and has a lingerpart 122. (Figs. 5 and 6.) WVhen it is desired to man'italn the cam-piece in actuating relation, the obstructing plate is lowered on its pivot and placed between theobstrucing: pin 118 and the notch 119 for holding the cam-piece in actuatingrelation. When it is desired to put the cam-piece in inactive relation, the obstructing plate is raised away from the'notchto permit retraction of the cam-piece.

The cam-piece 115 is arranged to move the supporting fingers for the pans into. release relation at the beginning portion of the heating reservoir. A cam-piece 123 at the end portion of the reservoir is arranged to coact with the roller 110 for moving .he fingers 91 into supporting relation. (Fig. 3.) k

The cam-piece- 123 extends in wardly fro a plate 12ft secured to a bearing-piece by suitable bolts. (Fig. The rolle is arranged to be'receive'd against the outer P face of the cam-piece 123 itornio-ving the roller outwardly and thereby moving the.

fingers into pan supporting relation.

The means for lowering the pans into the molten bath. and for raising the pans out of the molten bath. areex .mplified he arms rotating below the pans respectively at the beginning portion and at the end portion of the molten bath, forlowei upon retraction of the at the beginning portion and for raising the pans ofv the molten bath, is supporting. fingers moving in'to supporting relation when the pans have been raised.

Inner. arms 128 are provided with supporwnglingers of the molten bath rollers th e pans at the end portion 129 and outer arms .131 are provided with rollers 31. 'lhe arms 128 are secured to shafts 182 journalod in bearing: of a bearing-block 13% fixed to the inner wall of the reservoir. The arms 130 are fixed to shafts iournahrd in bearings 136 of the bearing-block 117, secured to the outer wall of the reservoir. (1 3, 5 and (3.)

A shaft 139 is iournaled in a bearing 1 10 of the bearing-block 134 and has a spr cketwheel 1-1-1 and a gear 142 fast thereon. The gear 1-112 meshes with gears 1 13, 144;, respec tively flu" or o shafts 13-2. (Fi e. 3 and A shaft 1 journaled in ahearing 117 of the hoarmgblock 11'." and has a sprocketwheel 1 18 and a gear 1. 19 nxod thereon. 'lho gear 1 1-5) meshes wi 11 150. 151, respectively on the charts; (Figs. 3, 4, and (3.)

Similar arms, shafts, hearings and gears are located at the feed-out end of the lQ-SUF voir for raising the pans and are designated by similar reference numeral: raised to the series 300.

Stands 155, 3), are lined to and extenu upwardly from the sector (39 of the base and are connected by a cross-brace stands are 1 )1.'\')Vl(li5(l with. upright 13 157. in which Shafts 158, 358, are rcepec iournaled. The snafts have pinrons; 1'1), winch mesh ool), fixed at their upper ends, 1 W with the internal hi). Bevei-geara lot 360, are fixed at the lower of said upright shafts and mesh with bevel-gears 161,

36 1, fixed to the inner ends of radially arranged shafts 162, 302, journaled respectiy ely at their inner ends; in bearings 163, 363,111 said stands and at their outer ends in bearings 16-1, 364:, in. l'iearing blocls 165, 365. on the outer por tion of tlr segment base 'llhe shaft 162 has sprocl v ieels 166, 16!", iixed thereto. 2, 3 arm 1-.)

Sprocket-chains 168, 169, are received about said sprocketnvheels 166, 161, respectively and about the sprocket-wheels 1 11 for rotating the arms 128, 130. T h J shaft n62 has eprocket-whee.e 866, 367, fixed thereto. Sprocket-chainc 3G8, 369, are received about said snroclcet-wheels and about the sprocketwheele 3-11, 348, for rotating the arms 528, 3230. (Fi 2, 3 and 1.)

The rotary paths of the rollers 129, 131, 329, 331, are respectively such that at their upper limits they slightly raise the pans off of their supporting fingers suificiently to per- Initready retractive movement of the supporting fingers, and at the lower portionsof their paths move away from the pans which have been lowered thereby into the molten bath and are supported by gravity on said molten hath.

In the present exemplification the turntable or rotary carrier has continuous rotation inuiiarted thereto. As a pan arrives 111 a radial position proximate to the arms 128, 130,

the said arms are ascending so that when the roller 110 contacts the cam-piece 115, for moving the supporting fingers out of the supporting relation, the pan will have been raised just sufliciently so thatthis movement of the supporting fingers may take place without undue friction or resistance. The arms then move in the descending portions of their paths for lowering the pan into the beginning portion of the reservoir.

Vi la-en the pan has sunk into the molten bath sufficiently for proper l1 at transference thereto, the arms continue their descent while the pan is moved in a planetary path with the rotary carrier, the upper edge of the pan being above the level of the bath for preventing how of the bath into the pan. The pane continue their planetary movements, and the rotations of the arms are so timed that when the next pan comes into a radial position at the beginning portion of the bath, the same operation takes place as to it.

The pan continues in its planetary movement along the reservoir until it arrives the exit end of the reservoir, at which time the arms 328, 330, are moving in their upward paths for raising the pan out of the molten bath, the pan being sufliciently raised, when it arrives in radial position so that roller 110 coacts with the cam-piece 128, that the supportlng fingers move under the pan without undue friction, the arms then descending away from the pan, the pan being then sup: ported by and moving with the rotary carrier.

It will be understood that the printing shell will have been placed in the pan by the time the pan is received in the bath and that the printing shell will by that time have been acid treated. A sheet of tin foil is also placed on the upwardly presented reverse face of the print ng shell, the heat of the bath heating the pr ntln shell and causing melting of t ie tin for] for providing the reverse face of the printing shell with a coating of tin so that the backing metal may properly adhere to the printing shell.

In order that all portions of the printingsurface of the shell may be held firmly to the bottom of the pan to produce a plane printing plate, a weight is placed on the tin-foil and shell. The weight comprises bearing? bars 176 and cross-bars 177. The cross-bare serve as handles. (Fig 1 and 10.) The weight may be a wood Structure which 1s pressed and bears upon the tinned 1t rinting shell during the initial portion of the flowing of the backing metal upon the shell, which initial portion of the metal then forms a weight upon the thin shell, for insuring a flat printing plate, and preventing the seepage of backing metal under the shell to mar its printing face. The weight floats on the backing metal during the further flowing of the backing metal into the pan.

The backing metal is preferably floated on to theprinting shell immediately after the same has left the molten bath and the flowing of this backing metal issalso preferably accomplished automatically, adjusting 'means being provided for regulating the amount of backing material supplied to" the pan. The adjustment of amount of backing metal sup.- pl ed is preferably provided so as to form printing plates of various thicknesses, it being understood that the backing metal flows throughout the area of the pan regardless of whether the whole or only a part of the, area of the pan is covered bythe printing shell or printing shells therein, the'surpl'us backing metal being trimmed and the printing plates I being separatedin well understood manner in the art after the castings'have been removed from the pan. V I 2 In order to provide for evenness of flow of molten metal upon the printing shell, an auxiliary reservoir for molten backing. metal is provided in which the level of the molten backing metal is kept constant for even gravity flow. A main reservoir is provided into which the backing metal isplaced to be melted A valve-controlled"communicating channel is provided between thereservoirs, receiving-its flow below the surface of the molten metal. The flow'of molten metal for the pan is received througha valve-controlled port below the surface of molten metal in the auxiliary reservoir. Evenly J molten metal .is thereby suppliedto theprinting shell, and

dress and-impurities; v r V Means are also provided for-maintaining the valves in proper condition for a proper supply of molten metal and for regulating said'supply. I

'A main reservoir 181 and an auxiliary res crvoir-182 are provided, these reservoirs being preferably in an integral casting. This casting is supported by a housing 183 having a surrounding wall 184 ofsubstantiallythe contour of'the' outer lateral wall ofthecombined' reservoir casting; the 'reservoir being supported by this'housing, as by having an upper peripheral flange 185 on the "casting supported on the upper edge of the housing (Figs. 1,2, 8,9 and 14.) q

The outer end ofthehousing supported on posts 186, "the lower ends of which are; received-in sockets187 of a base-piece' 188 and such molten metal so-supplied is free from the upperends of'which are received inrbearings 189, 190,on the outer corners of'the housing. Adjusting bolts 191 "are threaded in threaded holesin the upper walls ofthe bearings 189and bear upon the upper ends 1 of the posts for adjusting the outer corners of the housing toelevationJ The outer corners are clamped to the posts in adj us ted posi tions by set-bolts 19,2; (Figs. 1, 2 and 3.) i

:The inner-end of the housing'is provided with an arml which has a bearing 196. A

post 197 hasa lower threaded endil98 which is secured in a threaded hole in the main pedestal 22- and extends upwardly through a bearing 199 in the middle of the turn-table.

The upper. end of the post is threaded and v V has an adjusting nut 200 thereon. The bearing 196 is received about said upper threaded end of the post and is arranged to rest upon said nut.

iary reservoirs. igs. l, 2 and 4'.)

Thesereservoirs are suitably heated, as by This nut together with the; ad-' justing bolts 191 levels the main and ,auxilv means ofgas jets from gas orifices 205 in pipes 206 (Figs. 9 and 14) provided with regulating valves 207. 5 The bottom of the reser- 1 voirs maybe provided with depending projections 208 for aiding in heattr'ansference.

The burners-are located between. the outer walls of the housing 183 under the reservoirs.

This housing maybe provided with aflange opening 209 arranged to connect witha suitable pipe 210 for carrying oil? the products of combustion. (Figs. 1, 9 and 14.)

'It is preferred, however, to heat the "back; ingmetaI-by meanS of suitable electric heating elements 2141 let intothe reservoir at suitable oints and having branches'215 in which suita le electric conductors are-located, connecting with a suitable source of electric energy and provided with proper and suitable switches and with suitable automatic heat controlling devices for maintaining the tem- T he outer.

insulated, which heat-insulation is however not shown. (Figs. 1,2, 9 and 14;)

Apassagc 217 is between the main reservoir I and; the auxiliary reservoir at the bottomsof said reservoirs. The entrance end of said passage in the mainr'eservoir is I provided with a valve-seat218. A valve 219 coacts wvith this seat and is providedwith a valvestem 220 in a bearing 221 on a stand 222 extending from the partition-.wallbetween said reservoirs. A lever 225 has a pivot 226 on said stand and is pivoted by'pivot-bolts 227 to a'collar 228 about said valve stem. A collar 229 is adjustably secured to said valve-stem by a set-screw 230, the collar 228 being. arranged to raise-the valve-stem by means of the collar 229. Figsil, 2 and 9.)

, j The ralve stenris-normally rotated by' a sprocket-wheel 231- having spline key and groove connection 232 with said v'alvestem for permittingaxial movement of the valvestem inthe sprocket-wheel. This rotation is provided for continuously maintaining the valve and valve-seat-in ground relation and avoiding thelodgement of impurities between" the valve and valve-seat. Thevalvestemis also preferably provided with grooves forming sharp-edged ribs 2331 extendinglengthwise of the valve-stem for maintaining, the journal relation betweenfthe valve-stem and its bearing clear andlfree from obstrucq tion, impurities and chilled material.

(Fig. 9.)

A float 235 is received in the molten metal in the auxiliary reservoir and provided with a. rod 236. The upper end of the stem is threaded. An adjusting nut 237 is received thereabout. A collar 238 is pivoted by pivot-bolts 239 to the lever and is received about the upper end of the float-rod above the adjusting nut, a nut 240 being received about the upper end of said threaded portion above the pivoted collar for holding the float-rod to said collar. The float is preferably dished or hollow and is made of such material, for instance cast iron, lighter than the backing metal so as to float thereon (Figs. 9 and 13.)

When backing metal flows out of the auxiliary reservoir the level of said backing metal is lowered, thereby lowering the float and opening the valve 219 for permitting [low of backing metal from the main reservoir into the auxiliary reservoir lior restoring the level of backing metal. in the auxiliary reservoir, thereby raising the float and again closing the valve and insuring substantially constant level of backing metal in the auxiliary reservoir.

A feed-passage 241 connects with the bottom of the auxiliary reservoir and is continued in a spout 242 discharging above the path of the pans. There is a valve-seat in the bottom of the auxiliary reservoir with which a valve 244 coacts. This valve is on a stem 245 in a bearing 246 of a stand 247 (Fig. 2) extending upwardly from the wall of the auxiliary reservoir; A sprocket-wheel 251 has spline key and groove connection 252 with the valve-stem for rotating the valve to insure continuous proper seating between the valve and its seat. The valve-stem is provided with grooves forming sharp-edged ribs 253 extending lengthwise oi the stem for insuring continuous proper journal connection between the stem and its bearing. (Figs. 2, 8 and 12.)

The mouth of the spout 242 is provided with a guide 254 for a slide 255. The slide is in the form of a box Whose bottom is provided with perforations 256 serving as a strainer for the molten metal and for spreading the molten metal gently over a considerable area in flowing the molten metal into the pan an d preventing disarrangement of the parts in the pan. (Figs. 8 and 12.)

The slide has a lug provided with a hole 257 for reception of a hook for ren'ioving the slide for cleaning. The spoilt is provided with cleaning hole 258 in line with its passage aranged to receive a cleaning stem. The hole is normally closed by a plug 259. (Figs. 8 and 9.)

A gas-jet from a burner 260 is directed upon the spout for preventing chilling of the metal being delivered. The burner is regulated by a suitable valve. (Fig. 8.)

A yoke 264 is fixed to the upper end oi the valve-stem 245. It is provided with a slot 265 through which a lever 266 extends. The lever is pivoted on a pivot-pin 267 in a stand 268 extending upwardly from the wall or" the reservoir. The other end of the lever has articulation 269 with a forked rod 270. The forked rod has adjustable connection with a slide 271 slidable in an upright guide 272 secured to the wall of the housing 183. l, 2, 8 and 15.)

The lower threaded end 275 of the rod is adjustableaxially in a'threaded lug 276 on the slide, the articulation 269 being restored after adjustment. (Figs. 2, 15, 16 and 17.)

A fork 277 is pivoted on a pin 278 .in a lug 279 on the slide and has a bearing 280 which is threaded. The threaded stem 281 of a "fork 282 is adjustably received in this bearing and held in adjusted position by a jam-nut 283. A roller 284 is journaled in the fork 282. (Figs. 2, 15, 16, 17 and 18.)

T he rotary carrier is provided with a series of cams 288 arranged to'contact the roller and thereby raise the roller momentarily for opening the valve 244 when a pan is received under the teed-spout 242. There is a series of these cams arranged in radial. relations on the rotary carrier corresponding to the positions and number of pans. (Figs. 1, 19 and 20.)

These cams are preferably adjustable for adjusting the moment and the extent or" opening of the valve. Each of the cams preferably comprises a lower block 289 secured to the rotary carrier or turn-table by bolts 290. This block is provided with an incline 291 with which an incline 292 on an upper block 293 coacts. The upper block has side-flanges 294, each of which is provided with an inclined slot 295, clamp-bolts 296 being received through said slots and threaded in the lower block for clamping the upper block to the lower block in adjusted positions. The blocks are provided with inclined riding faces 297, 298, for the roller 284 and the block 293 is provided with an upper riding face 299 for said roller. The closing of the valve is abrupt by the dropping of the roller oil? of the abrupt end of the cam. (Figs. 1.9 and 20.)

The position of the roller 284 is adj ustable with relation to the cams. Thus a set-bolt 301 is threaded in a threaded lug 302 on the fork 277 and bears against the slide. Adjustment of the set-bolt adjusts the fork on its pivot and moves the roller in an arc toward or from the plane of the slide and the path 01. the cams for varying the moment and extent of opening of the valve 244.

(Figs. 15 and 18.)

It it is desired to interrupt the feeding of the backing material into the pans or to rotate the turn-table under the spout 242 without feeding into the pans, the roller 284 is raised out of range of the cams 288 by swingin the slide.

ing the fork 282 thereon-upwardly on, its pivot 278, and,if it is desired to continue such interruption, the fork is swungup sufliciently and received over alatch 303 on a leaf spring304 fixed to a lug 305 on the slide.

(Figs. and 17.) v 7 Thefirmness of seating of the valve'may be adjusted by an adjustable stop 308, shown as a bolt threaded in a threaded lug 309 on the slide and arranged to contact a lug 310 on the guide 272 extending through a slot 307 This adjustable stop limits descent of the slide andconscquently adjustably limits descent of the valve 244. (Figs 2, 15 and 16.)

An adjusting screw 311 isadjnstable in a threaded hole 312 in the upperwall of the yoke 264. The adjusting screw hasan adjusting wheel 313 thereon, the arms of which are within easy reach of the operator at the casting position. -A pressure spring 314 surrounds the screw and is' locatedbetween the yoke and the adjusting wheel for exerting friction upon the screw and avoiding too,

ready rotation thereof. 3 (Figs. 1, 2 and 8.) The lever 266 may also be provided with a weight 315 .for urging seating of the valve 244. (Figs. 1 and 2).

If desired, the valve 244 may be manually operated by a lever 318 pivoted on a pin 319 I v on the stand 222 on the wall of the auxiliary reservoir and provided with. a fork 320 con tacting thelower end of the yoke 264, the lever being provided with a handle'321 for operating the same manually if it is desired to feed molten backing material under manual control. (Figs. 1, 2 and8.)

An upright shaft 372 is ournaled in bear ings 373, 374, on the housing 183. Apinion 375 is fixed to said shaft and meshes with an internal gear 376 fixed to the :turn-ta-blel -A sprocket-wheel 37 7 is fixed to the upper end of the shaft.v (Figs 1, 2 and- A sprocket-chain 378 is received aboutxthe sprocket-wheel and the'sprocket-wheels 231,

251, which are spline-keyed and grooved to thewilve-stems 220,245, for rotating said and the back thereof have a film of acid. applied thereto at the stationB. A filmof valve-stems, and thereby insuring freedom of said stems in the r bearingstor preventing stickingof the valve-stems in opening or closing the valves and for preventing lodg ment of dirt between the .valves and valve-i seats and insuring proper seating of the valves. 7 v p j r H The rotary carrier is exempllfie'd as provided with ten pans which are represented as continuously travelling past various stations about the carrier at which various operations.

may be performed. Thestations may be exemplified for instance as A, B, G, D, E, F, r G, H, I andK. (Fig. 1.) The electro-de posited shell 81 may beplaced onthe pan with its printing face down at the station A tin-foil 381may be laid on the shell at the station C. j v

The pan is then lowered into the molten bath by retraction of the fingers 91 by coaction between the roller 110 and the cam 115, and the rotation of-the arms 128, 130. Upon arrival atthe station D the pan will have been lowered into the molten'bath for heating the pan, the shell thereon and theacid and tin-foil on the shell for melting the latter and causing it to adhere to the reverse face of the shell. The; weight 175 may be applied .tothe. tin-foil and shell at I this station.

j The pan is floated on the top of the molten 'bath through the station E, being pushed by U the lower ends of the guides 86, and is then raised out of the molten bath by thearms 328, 330, and the swinging of the fingers 91 under the pan bycoaetion of the roller 110 with the cam 123. r V Such manipulation of the shell or shells,

of the tin-foil and of the weight 1.75 as may be desired may takeplace during'travel of the panthrough the stations D, E and F.

hen the advancinginner corner of the 1 pan arrives at thespout 242,0ne of the cams 288 engages the roller; 284'for raising the slide 271 and the lever 266 for raising the valve 244 and causing flow of the backing material through the spout and its strainer upon the shell or shellsin the pan. I This backing material spreads throughout the back of the shell or shells and throughout the pan, as

much of the hacking material heingfed into the pan as to provide the desired given thick- 'ness of backing material uponthe shell or is concerned,"the valve being opened upon contact of thelever with the end of the screw. v This adjustment regulates the duration of flow of the backing material from the spout and regulates the thickness of the plate which isformed in the pan. If a, thinv plate is de- I sired the screw 311 is raised by means of-the hand-wheel 313. If a thick plate is desired the screw is lowered by means of said handj vThe degree of seating of the valve may also beregu'lateol, as by. adjusting the adjustable stopr308 irr-its lug on the slide, the adjustable stop CQELCtlIlg with the stop310'on 'the guide, for ad ustmg the contact between. theilower fare oi? the lever 266 and lovver wall of no) "he yoke Q the slot in 'lhe am travels as the molten backing tez' al iiows thereinto, the roller 558i 7' L ping ol'i oi? the :am before the pan passes from under threpont for closing the valve and shutting off the flow of molten). material.

The pan with its charge of molten material then pzwses p nal; Htation G under the melting pot, the pan :7 passing tne stat '7 and l(.

JOEY) H 1 The pan is at these various latter stations subjected to a blast of cooling air through spouts $185, 38th and, 387', "fed from pipe these spouts being under the pails, spouts 09,1, 392, from pipes 393 may discharge (s 5r; air npoi ps of the pane and the paates: tli :ei 2 and hen the plain arrive will have bein snilicienly its removal Without in.

1. In an apparatus: incline; printingehelle the oombma r v. c1 res olpane tor I i ellr;

receiving; the 'llt i r means Tor HIOV- in; SJ'ld pans ill path, heatn i \CI'LHill plane (it a portion oi" th, )an lowering means at the l, ion oli said heating meanr-s, pan 1': at the end hort on of arid lit lrharpjing; means or heel-r.- 1nentalt-1maid p: n:

2. In an apparatira for involving prinri shells. the emnbir in oi a series of 1. reservoir for a mo on lail'h, means inn said pane into the vertical phi reservoir, pan lowering; means at the b i ning portion. of aaid rmaervoir, pan raisii'ig mean-s at the end pr z-tion of reservoir, diseharo'iyg means for backing; material. Coin plen'iental to Hflltl pa in, and amwnnatie control means for s-iaid dieehar means? 3. In an ag'nwrzxtiie for ha i. shells" the eomlnnation of a movaole carrier pans therefor, a r serv0ir for a molten bath under a portion of the path of said 1351110, pan lowering means-i at the beginning por tion oi" 11: id reservoir. pan raising means at ihe end portion oi said reservoir, synchronized operating: in lane for said lowering means and said raining 111621318 and diseharg in; means for backing material complemental to said pane.

4. In an apparatus for backing printing 7 t .L 1 1e par P l r, pan raising me; at the eservon', means at the 1d reservoir moving said .115 n'to pan snpportlng rela ronized ooerating means for i k 3 means and said 11 ising means. 1 an ap 'ia'atus tor backlng printing 1 nelr i e oon'iliiration of ainovable carrier,

.ppor'ting means nornmlly ,id pans in elevated positions, a t "nolten bath under a portion l? suid pans, ")811 lowerin means '1 nine portion of said reservoir, 3 at the beginning portion of said reserd supporting meal 5 out of rting relation, n eans for rendering said o; the pa? the be,

i )o1t0n of said reservoir moving .1 1 p a means into pan supporting relation, and eyncln'onized operatmg means lor gait. lmvering means and and raising apparetm he (-oinoinmion of e; for, reservoir for a molten l e a portion oi? the path o: seid o ineazia for said i no pail :4 i to and ort oi i he 'in said reservoir.

' the planetary path of said 1% pans, automatic means causing descent of said-pans into said bath at 'the beginning portion of said said zreser-voi-r during planetary movement ,of said pans, and discharging means forbacking-material complemental tosaid pans.

"9. In an apparatus for backing printing: shells, the combination of a rotatable car-rier,

pans therefor, 21 reservoir-for a molten bath under a portion of the planetary jpath'of said pans, automatic means causing descent of said pans into said bath'at the beginning portion of said reservoir and ascent of said pans out of said bath at the end portion oi said reservoir during planetary movement of said pans, supporting means on said carrier normally supporting said pans in raised positions, means at the beginning portion of said reservoir movin supporting means into non-supporting relation, means at the H shells, the combination of a rotatable carrier, pans therefor, a reservoir for a molten bath under a portion of the planetary path of said pans, automatic means causing de-- rierat said openings, mearishat, the beginning scent of said pans into said bath at the beginning portion of said reservoir andascent of said pans out of said bath at the end portion of said reservoir during planetary movement of. said pans, supporting means on said carrier normally supportmg said pans in raised positions, means at the beginning portion of said reservoir moving said supporting means into non-supporting relation, means rendering said last-named means inactive, and means atthe end portion of said reservoir moving said supporting means into supporting relation. i

11. In an apparatus for backing printing shells, the combination of a movable carrier,

= pans thereon, heating means for said pans,

a reservoir for backing material, said reservoir provided with aneXit-port complemental to said pans, a valve for said port, a lever having operative connection with said valve,

1 means for adjusting said operative connection for regulating the duration of open relation of said valve, a slide having operative connection with said lever, 'and'means on said rotary carrier intermittently operating said slide.

12. In an apparatus for backing printing shells, the combination of a movable carrier, pans thereon, heating means for said pans, a reservoir for backing material,,said reser- T voir provided with an exit-port complemental to said pans, a valve for said port, a lever having operative connectionwith said valve, means for adjusting said operative, connection for regulating the duration ofopen rereservoir and ascent :of 1 said pans out of said bath at the end portion oflation of said valve, a slide having operative connection. with said lever, means for ad.

justing the movement of said slide for adjustingpthe. seating relation of said valve,

and means on saidrotary carrier intermit tently operating .saidslide. I I v 13.. In an apparatus f rbacking printing shells, thev combination ofa rotary carrm providedwith open ngs, vpans in said open,

ings,.a-reservoir for a molten bathjundera portion of the planetary path of said pa ns, the Walls of said openings provided with guides for down and up movements-ofsaid pans, means at the beginningportion of said reservoir for-lowering said pans on said guides for. floating said pans, on said bath,

said g-uides coasting with 'said pans for push? ing-said pans along saidabathwith the rotary movement of said carrier, means atthe end portion of saidreservoir for r-aising said panesan d scha gmg means, for ba king materlal complemental to said pans, v

14,111 an apparatus for backng printing;

shells, the combinationof; a-rotary-carrier provided with openings, pansrin said opens ings, a reservoir for a molten bath under a portion of the planetary path; of -said pans, the. Walls of said openings provided with guides for down and upmoveinents ofsaidl pans, movable supporting meanson said car portion ofsaid reservoir, moving said sup, porting, means, out" ofsupporting relation With said pans,rmeans at thebeginning pore tion of said reservoir for lowering; said pans on said guidesfor floating said pansomsaid i bath,.sai d guides coactingwith said pans for pushing said: pansalong said bath-"with the rotary movement of said carrier, means, at the end portion of saidreservoir for raising said pans out of said bath, means at the end por-y tion of saidreservoir moving'said supporting 11163118111130 supportlng relation; with said pans and discharging'means for molten material. complemental. to said pans.-,

15. In an apparatus for backing printing I shells, the combination of a rotaryrcarrier comprisingka centralsupporting portion, J

frames radiating from said central supporting portion'and having spaces therebetween at their outer ends, and spannerspieces' secured to proximate corners of adjacent frames and spanning said spaces, said frames provided withop'enings, pans supported in said openings, heating means for sai'dipans,

and'discharging means for backing material complemental to said pans, v w I p 16. In an apparatus for-backing printing shells, the combinationof aseri'es ofpans for receiving printing shells, moving means for moving saidpansinapath, a-reservoir for backing material for said shclls a discharge port therefona valve for said; port, means for rotating a d, alv endgame-ion.eperating said valve having connection with said mov ing means.

17. In an apparatus for backing printing shells, the combination of a series of pans for receiving printing shells, moving means for moving said pans in a path, a reservoir for backing material for said shells, a discharge port therefor, a valve for said port, a stem for said valve, a bearing for said stem, means for rotating said stem, means for re ciprocating said stem having connection with said moving means, and cleaning ribs extending lengthwise of said stem in said bearing.

18. In an apparatus for backing printing shells, the combination of a rotary carrier, pans therefor, a main reservoir, an auxiliary reservoir, a connecting passage between said reservoirs, a port therefor, a port for said auxiliary reservoir complemental to said pans, reciprocating valves for said ports, and means for rotating said valves having opera tive connection with said rotary carrier.

19. In an apparatus for backing printing shells, the combination of a rotary carrier, pans therefor, a main reservoir, an auxiliary reservoir, a connecting passage between said reservoirs, a port therefor, a port for said auxiliary reservoir complemental to said -pans, reciprocating valves for said ports,

means for rotating said valves having operative connection with said rotary carrier, said valves provided with valve-stems, bearings for said valve-stems, and cleaning ribs extending lengthwise of said stems in said bearings.

20. In an apparatus for backing printing shells, the combination of a rotary carrier, pans therefor, a reservoir for a molten bath, movable means for supporting said pans on said carrier, rotatable arms at the beginning portion and at the end portion of said reservoir respectively for lowering said pans into said bath and for raising said pans out of said bath, means for rotating said rotary car rier, means driven by said rotary carrier for rotating said arms, a cam at the beginning portion of said reservoir for moving said movable means away from said pans, and a cam at the end portion of said reservoir for moving said movable means into pan supporting relation.

21. In an apparatus for backing printing shells, the combination of a rotatable carrier, pans therefor, a reservoir for backing mate rial for said shells, a discharge port'therefor, a valve for said port, an actuator for said valve comprising a contact-part, a series of contact-parts for the latter on said'carrier, and means whereby to place said first-named contact-part in inactive relation for main taining closed relation of said valve.

22. In an apparatus for backing printing shells, the combination of a rotary carrier, pans therefor, a reservoir for backing material for said shells, a discharge port therenection with said lever, a contact-part on aid slide,-and a series of contact-parts for the latter on sald carrier.

In testlmeny whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

' FRANK X. TEMMEN. 

